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Lions photo by Jeff Nguyen
Detroit could be getting a boost in revenues from an obvious source.
The Detroit News reports that some leaders and a major research group are exploring the idea of adopting an admissions tax for professional sports games and large entertainment events—something that's already done in other cities.
The added revenue could help finance public safety, infrastructure or other services.
Ann Snabes of The News reports:
An admissions tax would generate at least $14.1 million annually under a 3% tax rate and at least $46.9 million under a 10% tax rate, according to a report by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan that was commissioned by the Detroit City Council and released in early September. The council's budget, finance and audit standing committee plans to discuss the report at an Oct. 1 meeting.
Most major cities in the country, especially those with professional sports teams, have an admissions tax or something similar in place, said Eric Lupher, the president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan. About 34 states have some form of tax on admission, whether in the form of ticketed admission to events or as part of the general sales taxes, according to the research council's report.
